Chapter 44

"Peak of the Fifth Level of Qi Refinement? How is that possible? You, a Qi Refiner, after consuming one red fruit, should at least reach the Seventh or Eighth Level of Qi Refinement, if not the Perfect Level of Qi Refinement! Wait... What kind of spiritual root do you have?"

As she spoke, Shen Miaoyin seemed to recall something and asked.

Su Shier, blushing, replied, "Mixed spiritual root!"

His spiritual root was known to many within the peak, so it wasn't a secret.

One red fruit had only increased his cultivation by one level. This made him somewhat disappointed, but he could still accept it.

After all, he had long known his spiritual root condition. From the beginning, he hadn't held much hope. Moreover, he still had two red fruits in his possession, and such a cultivation speed already made him quite satisfied.

"What... a mixed spiritual root?! How did you manage to cultivate to the Fourth Level of Qi Refinement in such a short time?"

Shen Miaoyin was greatly surprised. She, who usually maintained a calm demeanor, suddenly lost her composure.

In her mind, she had always regarded Su Shier as a trump card of Luofu Peak. But if he had a mixed spiritual root, she didn't think Lu Mingshi would cultivate such a disciple.

"This... some personal good fortune," Su Shier said with a wry smile, not elaborating.

He planned to keep the secret of the mysterious alchemy furnace to himself, never telling anyone.

"Good fortune is indeed an important part of a cultivator's journey. However, with a mixed spiritual root, advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage will be a problem. It's best to prepare early."

Shen Miaoyin said indifferently, not pressing further, but calmly giving a reminder.

In her heart, she was not optimistic about Su Shier.

For cultivators, good fortune is important, but few can have it consistently. Without good talent, the future path is very limited!

"Foundation Establishment... will be a problem?" Su Shier's expression changed, and he asked urgently.

Shen Miaoyin's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over his head, instantly cooling his previously good mood.

"Each realm of cultivation is a different heaven. Each level is a layer of restraint. The worse the talent, the stronger the restraint."

"Your daily cultivation is already so difficult. In the future, breaking through will be as hard as climbing to the heavens."

Shen Miaoyin said indifferently, not denying Su Shier but speaking the truth.

"Is there... no other way?" Su Shier asked with a pained expression, continuing to press.

He had vaguely realized this issue even without Shen Miaoyin's words, but he hadn't expected it to be so difficult.

Perhaps because they had shared hardships, Shen Miaoyin did not show any dissatisfaction at Su Shier's questioning. She said indifferently:

"There are ways! One is through the use of elixirs, such as the Foundation Establishment Pill, which can increase the probability of Foundation Establishment. However, the Foundation Establishment Pill is extremely precious, and your situation cannot be resolved with just one or two."

"The second is through cultivation techniques. Some special techniques can also increase the probability of Foundation Establishment. However, such techniques are rare, and common ones often have requirements for talent. Unless..."

As she spoke, Shen Miaoyin seemed to recall something and paused.

"Unless... what?" Su Shier asked cautiously.

Shen Miaoyin said indifferently, "Unless you can cultivate to the Twelfth Level of Qi Refinement. Breaking through at the Twelfth Level, combined with the Foundation Establishment Pill, might increase the probability."

"In ancient times, Qi Refiners had twelve levels. However, for cultivators, reaching the Twelfth Level takes too much time. Therefore, some cultivators tried to break through to Foundation Establishment at lower levels. Over time, the highest level became the Ninth Level of Qi Refinement."

"Subsequent cultivation techniques have also been lost over time, making them hard to find. If you are determined, you can start from this angle."

Twelve levels?!

Su Shier was taken aback, immediately thinking of the Small Circulation Qi Refinement Technique. This technique was precisely a twelve-level Qi Refinement method.

He immediately clasped his hands and bowed to Shen Miaoyin in gratitude: "Thank you, Peak Master Shen. Your words have been very helpful to me!"

Shen Miaoyin waved her hand indifferently, her expression turning cold.

"There's no need to thank me. Consider this as a repayment for your help."

"The spirit plant garden's array has been broken. You can leave on your own! After today, our connection ends. If we meet again, we will be strangers."

"Whatever happened between us, you should forget it! If a third person finds out, I will not forgive you!"

As she spoke, Shen Miaoyin resumed her aloof demeanor, coldly staring at Su Shier with a warning look.

To her, this incident was just an accident. With her talent, she could return and condense a Golden Core, achieving the Golden Core realm.

With Su Shier's spiritual root and talent, the two were destined to have no further interaction.

"Don't worry, I will keep this matter to myself." Su Shier shrank his neck and immediately promised.

Talking about this would bring him no benefit and would offend a near-Golden Core expert, so he wouldn't seek trouble.

Shen Miaoyin's words also provided him with a lot of information.

He had already decided to cultivate according to the Small Circulation Qi Refinement Technique.

To seek revenge, relying solely on Qi Refinement cultivation was definitely not enough. As long as it could increase the probability of breaking through, he would try any method.

After parting ways with Shen Miaoyin, Su Shier chose a direction and continued walking.

After looting the spirit plant garden, he was almost certain to become a formal disciple, so there was no need to take further risks.

Next, he planned to find a secluded place to enter seclusion and cultivate.

Three days later,

Su Shier used the Wind Summoning Technique, his feet moving with the Illusory Step, darting through a mountainous region.

He was still wearing the Cloud-Treading Boots given by Shen Miaoyin. Since she hadn't asked for them back, he wouldn't return them either.

After all, to buy time, he had damaged an excellent defensive magical artifact.

As he walked, a sudden sound of hurried footsteps reached his ears.

"Someone?"

His eyebrows twitched, and without hesitation, he concealed his aura and hid in a nearby bush.

He had no more invisibility talismans, so he could only use the bush to hide.

Soon, eleven figures appeared in his line of sight.

They were all disciples at the Second or Third Level of Qi Refinement, both male and female, from various peaks, fleeing in panic.

"Hmm? It's a miracle these people have lasted this long. But what are they running from?" His eyes scanned the group, and he couldn't help but be surprised.

Muttering to himself, his pupils constricted as he recognized a familiar figure in the crowd.

"Zhu Hanwei?! He's actually here! This guy has a lot of luck."

Su Shier observed from the shadows, not revealing himself.

At that moment, a sound of breaking wind came from the distance.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."

Six dark green arrow lights flashed, piercing through the fleeing crowd at lightning speed.

Immediately, six figures suddenly stopped, falling to the ground and dying on the spot.

The remaining few didn't even look back, their fear increasing as they ran even faster.

And they were running directly toward Su Shier's position.

"Hmm?!"

These people were actually being hunted? Who could be so cruel?!

Su Shier's expression hardened, his gaze turning to the distance.